Layer half the cooked pasta in the baking dish Recipe
Indulge in this Million Dollar Baked Ziti recipe that combines flavorful ground beef, rich cheeses, and aromatic herbs for a comforting and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil ziti pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Sauté garlic in olive oil, add ground beef, cook until browned, then stir in marinara sauce and simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix the Cheeses: Combine ricotta cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese in a bowl.
- Assemble the Dish: Layer pasta, cheese mixture, meat sauce, remaining pasta, and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
- You can customize this baked ziti by adding your favorite vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the meat sauce.
- For a spicier kick, mix some red pepper flakes into the meat sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti, Pasta Recipe, Comfort Food, Italian Cuisine, Cheesy Baked Pasta